Chapter 3, Forming Connections

If Wei Geng's curiosity was piqued, he could not help but say: "If you can explain clearly, I will invite you to a restaurant for a nice meal"

"Spoiled child?" Ji Zong's face showed a look of compassion: "Your mother certainly did not mean it this way, do not be sad!"

Cough! The burly man with a dark complexion stood up, seemingly displeased, and stepped outside. The effeminate man immediately got up to follow, his demeanor one of utmost trepidation

Ji Zong glanced at Ruo Wei, who was somewhat lost in thought beside him. Just as he was about to open the oil paper bag, Ruo Wei stopped him.

She had a blank expression, and in an instant, she pressed the dagger directly against her throat: "Was it that vile woman who sent you? Must she take my life before she can sleep peacefully?"

What is this?" Jizong opened it and looked, "Dried meat?"

However, when Wei glanced at her mother, whose expression was a mix of anger and resentment, she unexpectedly smiled and took out a package from her bosom, stuffed it into her grandfather's hand, and immediately turned to run away, shouting, "I will also go and kneel to the ancestors!"

Jizong furrowed her brows: "Could it be? She is dressed so tattered and filthy all over. If she were not truly at her wit's end, how could a young girl demean herself like this?"

"Little Second Brother, we are not dining without paying, so hurry and pick some affordable dishes! You need not worry about the others!" Ruowei's voice was youthful and melodious, like pearls dropping into water, exceedingly pleasant to hear

Ji Zong smiled. Ruo Wei was well aware of her own temperament; it was already a challenge for her to sit quietly for half an hour, let alone feel at ease while embroidering. It was merely a matter of embroidering with a beautiful exterior while comforting herself with sweet words. She casually remarked, "Where are they? This handkerchief was embroidered by my mother. She knows you are not particular about small details, so she instructed me to keep it with me for your convenience at any time."

If it were not for that pile of white silver ingots on the bed, this would clearly be a dream

"Where did this little girl come from? Get out of the way!" the person in charge immediately shouted loudly

The little beggar immediately put down his chopsticks: "Miss, what are you laughing at? Is it because I eat too unattractively?"

If one observes with a slightly cold gaze, a faint and elusive smile gradually appears on the face

Clap, clap, clap! A few resounding claps echoed from behind.

On the willow tips at night, all around is quiet, without a hint of sound

"Nurse, please don't be anxious!" The girl's voice carried a hint of urgency: "First, have a sip of water!"

Ji Zong looked out the window and said, "The sky is getting darker, let's head back early!"

"Sir, are you truly not sent by Song Liniang?" The sick woman on the bed trembled slightly, filled with genuine fear and trepidation

Ji Zong was at a loss whether to laugh or cry, and could only chew with great effort. He then noticed Ruo Wei staring at him intently, which made his face flush. He extended his hand to cover his face, trying to eat as elegantly as possible.

However, my purse was clearly right here just a moment ago. I still wanted to give that little "extra child" a bit of silver, so how could it have disappeared in the blink of an eye!" Jizong was sweating profusely, standing up and feeling around his body.

Ah? These two tables can't possibly use this much! The waiter immediately became overjoyed, having encountered a wealthy patron.

As the sun sets in the west, in front of the Xu family shop on Gaoxin Avenue

"Who?" A series of footsteps immediately sounded, accompanied by a tone of vigilance and a hint of panic.

"Everyone else may leave, but Jingzhi, stay behind and follow me to the study." After Sun Yunpu finished speaking, he walked towards the front courtyard holding a plate of pastries, while Sun Jingzhi closely followed, feeling anxious and apprehensive

Ji Zong nodded, then tugged at Ruo Wei's sleeve and said in a lowered voice: "Just give her a few pieces of cake, do not delay any further. If we return late, we will have no way to explain ourselves in front of grandfather"

"Miss, you are truly impressive!" The shop assistant was somewhat stunned upon hearing this: "So it turns out she is a female thief. But since the young lady has already noticed, why not report to the authorities or confront her directly? Why wait and watch her steal the young master's purse, only to reveal the truth now?"

Ji Zong cast a glance at Ruo Wei beside him, his eyes filled with tenderness and compassion. Amidst a faint sigh, his stomach let out a rumble, causing Ji Zong to feel embarrassed and turn his head away. Meanwhile, Ruo Wei's laughter, like the sound of silver bells, echoed through the quiet room.

"Do not speak nonsense!" The person in charge seemed to be annoyed, and the curtain of the carriage was lifted. A middle-aged beautiful woman sitting inside looked at Ruo Wei with surprise, and then asked with a pleasant expression: "Little girl, do you really have a way to get the carriage out?"

Suddenly, with a "crack," the carriage jolted and came to a halt, as it turned out that the wheel of the carriage had become stuck in a pit

As for Wei, the dishes were soon served on the table

Nurse, how many times have I told you? I simply do not want to go. My family has suffered this misfortune; my father died under mysterious circumstances, and my mother was driven to her death by that vile woman. I was even sold into a brothel by her. If it weren't for your desperate efforts to save me... The voice of the young girl was filled with anger: "My family has encountered this great disaster; my uncle's family should have received news by now and should have come to our aid. Yet now, there is not a single word from them. This is what it means to face a great calamity, where everyone looks out for themselves. Therefore, I do not seek help from anyone. Relying on myself, I will surely have my revenge one day!"

"Alright, I won't shout!" Both Ruowei and Jizong were greatly surprised

No need! The steward finished speaking and immediately commanded the servants, those who pulled the horses to pull, and those who pushed the carts to push. Unfortunately, despite everyone's efforts and sweating profusely, the cart did not come out of the pit.

The little beggar immediately appeared sorrowful, with slightly reddened eyes, choking back tears: "I have no surname because I have no father. Since I was young, I have only followed my mother, going from one household to another, living by washing clothes and working as a servant. My mother calls me 'Zhui Er', which means a burden!"

The shop assistant nodded repeatedly: "A small account like this is of no concern. The last time Miss sent the ointment, my mother only applied it twice, and now her arm can move and no longer hurts. She originally intended to go to the residence to thank the young lady!"

As soon as his words fell, he swiftly vanished, his garments fluttering, and in an instant, he was gone without a trace

"Enough of the nonsense!" said the effeminate man, "Today we are in a good mood, usually you wouldn't even be able to ask for this!"

As she watched her figure fade into the distance, Ruo Wei smiled again

Indeed! With a look of confusion, he reached into the side of his garment, suddenly displaying a surprised expression: "Eh, where is my money pouch? Where is my money pouch?"

Standing in the center of the room, gazing at him, was a young girl dressed in a blue floral dress.

"Ruowei, what are you saying? Could it be that you know who stole my purse?" Jizong's expression flickered between clarity and confusion as he pulled Ruowei and pressed her with questions.

So it is. Ruo Wei lowered her eyelids, thinking how attentive her mother was. Just as she was about to speak, the sound of wheels rolling echoed, and a cloud of dust rose as a group of guards and a carriage passed in front of them. Ruo Wei couldn't help but frown; which family's ladies were so delicate, taking a carriage to climb a mountain, and bringing so many servants? It was truly quite dull. Just as Ruo Wei shook her head, Ji Zong immediately stepped in front of her, shielding her from the dust kicked up by the passing wheels.

If Wei shook her head slightly, retracted her smile, and looked directly into her eyes: "What is your surname, what is your name, where is your home, and why have you ended up here begging on the street"

The burly man at the adjacent table called out, "Waiter!"

She expressed her gratitude repeatedly before finally exiting the store

Yet it inadvertently provoked a faint chuckle from Ruo Wei

"Miss, that person is unknown and seems rather strange; perhaps we should not go after all!" The woman, feeling anxious, pulled the young girl in blue over to discuss the matter in detail.

Thus, we will take you to eat! Ruo Wei and Ji Zong led the little beggar to the Gao Family Restaurant on East Street, choosing a table by the window to sit down.

She was covered in dirt, her hair disheveled and hanging over her forehead, so filthy that her features were indistinguishable. However, her pair of eyes were dark and bright, full of spirit. She wiped her face with the somewhat stiff and dirty cuff of her sleeve, quietly leaned in closer, and whispered: "To be honest, I have been to restaurants and taverns, but not only could I not get anything to eat, I was also bullied. The people coming in and out of the taverns are all heartless wealthy individuals, but it is different here!"

"See the authorities?" Her eyes flickered slightly, and she couldn't help but sneer repeatedly: "A lewd woman who murders her husband and drives her mistress to death, committing evil and punishing the innocent, why don't the authorities come to intervene? Human traffickers and those who force the innocent into prostitution, why doesn't the government take action against them? Yet they come to deal with me, when all I did was to be driven to desperation and seek a meal, why should I be arrested?"

The curtain of the carriage was suddenly lifted, and a middle-aged woman appeared, asking: "Do we need to get down?"

"It is!" After glancing at Ruowei, Jizong subtly signaled her not to stand out too much and not to say anything wrong, before following the house servant to the ancestral hall to kneel as punishment

The innkeeper's thoughts subtly shifted, unsure of the origins of these two individuals, and thus refrained from speaking carelessly. He simply stated: "This Miss Sun, unlike the daughters of other families, may appear small in stature, but she is quite renowned here! Both her mother and grandfather are esteemed practitioners in the field of medicine. In our area, where land is scarce and the population dense, there is no clinic, so for common ailments, people usually seek medical advice and remedies from their family. The young gentleman beside her is her elder brother; the two of them often go together to the mountains to gather herbs and come and go together. It is nothing unusual; everyone is accustomed to it!"

Ah! With a slightly displeased expression, she reached out and poked Jizong on the forehead: "How foolish! If it weren't for this, how could one deceive others into feeling pity? You only see one side; she is filthy all over, yet you fail to notice that when she lowers her head, there is a neck as white as jade. If she didn't bathe and change clothes every day, how could she stand out among the beggars? Every time we encounter those people, before we even get close, we are already repelled by the stench and take a detour. Moreover, just now I ordered so many meat dishes; if she had truly been starving for several days, would she only eat that bowl of shredded meat noodles without touching any fish, meat, or steamed buns? You didn't see that she only ate the noodles, while the shredded meat remained untouched. What does this indicate? She is not hungry from prolonged starvation at all!"

Good! If Ruowei calls the waiter, he will take two wooden food boxes and pack all the dishes on the table that have hardly been touched.

"Hush, before our ancestors, it is absolutely forbidden to make noise!" Jizong interjected.

If she shrugged her shoulders, pouted, and smiled mischievously: "Yes, everyone has their reasons for doing things. Perhaps her mother is really ill, or there are other unspeakable difficulties? For instance, being held hostage or coerced, it is hard to say. In any case, she is not living well and must resort to this means to survive. Moreover, if she cannot steal from us today, she will go and steal from others. Originally, I thought that your purse contained the herbs I prepared. If we truly want to capture her, we could bring Ah Huang back and search this small town, making it difficult for her to hide. Just now, I heard the waiter say that she only steals from the rich, robbing the wealthy to help the poor, so let’s just let her go this time!"

If Wei stopped smiling and looked at Jizong, he said, "Ah, our ancestors must feel pity seeing the eldest grandson of the Sun family suffering here, enduring hunger and punishment. Surely, they cannot bear to blame us," as he spoke, he took out a small oil paper package from the pouch tied around his waist and handed it to Jizong

The more she spoke, the angrier she became, tears of resentment uncontrollably streaming down her face, her small face flushed red. The past was vividly present, unbearable to recall, yet it lingered like a shadow, like a thorn in her flesh, erupting at any moment, impossible to escape.

If Wei asked again: "Where do you and your mother live now?"

Those who come here to buy pastries are either children purchasing for their parents or elders, or parents buying for their children. Therefore, regardless of their true feelings, upon entering and exiting this place, they all carry a sense of concern in their hearts, and their mood is quite good. Seeing me in my current state, they are bound to feel pity and will likely reward me with a few pieces of pastry. As for those in the tavern, they are simply spending money for entertainment and leisure, and I do not dare to go over there. She raised her face, leaned closer to Ruowei, slightly tilted her head, brushed her hair with her hand, revealing her earlobe. As for those in the tavern, they are simply spending money for entertainment and leisure, and I do not dare to go over there. She raised her face, leaned closer to Ruowei, slightly tilted her head, brushed her hair with her hand, revealing her earlobe.

The two men in blue robes who had just entered the door could not help but stop in their tracks, carefully observing.

However, the man in black seemed to have grown impatient. With a slight exertion of force, the horizontal bar securing the door from within was immediately broken, and the door was pushed open with a loud crash. Like a sprite emerging from the shadows, he swiftly entered, surveying the occupants of the room as if he were the master.

A filthy little beggar, with a downcast head, huddled in the corner, stealthily watching the passersby. When she saw Ruowei and Jizong coming out, holding oilcloth-wrapped pastries, she immediately approached them, extending a small hand, and pleading pitifully, "Young master, young lady, please have mercy, I haven't eaten anything for several days! Please give me a bite to eat!"

Faced with a large bowl of shredded meat noodle soup, braised pork ribs, and stir-fried meatballs, the little beggar swallowed hard but hesitated to pick up her chopsticks. Noticing her strange expression, Jizong kindly advised, "Do not be afraid, these dishes are all ordered for you, very affordable, all meat, take your time eating"

The man in black glared with his eyes and said: "You ungrateful beings, to be favored by my master is a blessing you have earned over several generations. Do you think I called you here to serve as courtesans or concubines? Bah!"

Watching their figures, the shop assistant picked up the towel draped over his shoulder and sniffed it repeatedly: "It has no scent, this girl is teasing again"

Really?" The little beggar's face was filled with joy

If Wei Zhi stared blankly at the little beggar and asked, "Why do you not beg at the entrance of the restaurants and taverns, but come to this pastry shop?"

Looking at the silver, the young girl in blue slightly furrowed her brows, secretly astonished. Who is this person? With his skills, if he were truly a killer sent by an enemy to take her life, why would he need to act this way? In an instant, he could have ended both her and her nurse, yet he clearly has no such intention. Now, revealing the silver again, what is his true intention?

At this moment, Wei was using a wooden stick to pry the wheel, shouting, "Start!" while prying.

As soon as Wei spoke these words, Jizong was also slightly taken aback, thinking to himself that if Wei was referring to the bustling entrance of the restaurant and tavern, where affluent people came and went, they would surely be generous. Moreover, if one had been hungry for a long time, wouldn't hot dishes and rice be more substantial than these pastries? With this thought in mind, he did not respond, standing to the side and directing his gaze towards the little beggar.

The shopkeeper furrowed his brow and thought for a moment: "Not many, most of the people here are from the neighborhood. Originally, there were few who paid in cash, and most of them keep accounts."

If Wei suddenly smiled charmingly, the smile would be quite inexplicable

"Miss, please speak softly, for I fear that the bad people might overhear and bind me, selling me to some unsavory place!" The young beggar immediately showed a look of alarm, his expression flustered.

Alright, I have no time to meddle in your family's affairs. Your fortune has arrived; I can show you a way out, would you be willing?" He cast a glance at the sick woman on the bed

Hmph! He let out a light snort, and although he did not respond directly, his face was covered by a black cloth, making it impossible to see his expression. However, the disdain in his eyes was unmistakable: "Every day you go out begging and take the opportunity to steal from others, but is this a long-term plan? Are you not afraid that one day you will be caught red-handed by the victim and taken to see the authorities and thrown into prison?"

She said she has no surname, I guessed her original surname is 'Wu', she said her name is 'Zhui Er', but I think she should be called 'Min Er'. Pretending to be a beggar to gain sympathy, claiming to be hungry and begging for food, is clearly taking advantage of others' unawareness to steal money. "Ruowei sighed deeply: "Brother, can't you see it?"

At that moment, the figure in black at the window stepped to the door and gently knocked on it

As Sun Yunpu gently tapped the ground with his cane, Sun Jingzhi immediately fell silent, standing with his hands down at the side. When Sun Yunpu opened the oil paper bag and took a look, he couldn't help but smile. Su Su raised her eyes to see that it was actually deep-fried spiral cakes, a traditional exquisite snack from Jiangnan, with a crispy exterior and tender interior, rich in scallion flavor. This delicacy gradually became known in Zouping because a merchant from Jiangnan opened a pastry shop here. Last time, when Sun Jingzhi brought some back from outside, the old man had praised it, and it was unexpected that this girl was so thoughtful to bring this to appease the old man.

Although Wei is still very young and a girl, there is an undeniable determination in her expression, and the coachman nodded.

Jizong then suddenly understood, and immediately took out an embroidered handkerchief from his bosom, spreading it on a flat stone by the roadside: "Then let us sit down and rest for a while"

You? You were already quite foolish!" Ruowei poked Jizong's head with her hand and said, "So silly, you believe everything I say. Go ahead and eat, I just had a lot of snacks at the shop, and you haven't eaten any, so all of this is for you." As she spoke, she picked up a large piece of meat jerky and forcefully stuffed it into Jizong's mouth.

On the road? The young girl in the blue attire murmured softly, her head lowered in quiet contemplation

If I smiled and tilted my head to face the shopkeeper, I would say: "Brother shopkeeper, have there been many customers lately who are unable to pay when settling their bills?"

Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the mud and tears, an indescribable sense of pity and tragedy, as she silently ate the noodles in her bowl

"My mother? We live in a dilapidated temple on East Street. By the way, my mother hasn't eaten anything all day. Miss, young master, may I take this food back for my mother?" She looked up with a hopeful expression that was truly hard to refuse

Alright, please come in! The waiter led them over.

If curiosity arose, I walked to the roadside and picked up a stick, then walked straight ahead

The little beggar swallowed hard and did not speak further

Feeling a warmth in his heart, Ji Zong pushed the meat jerky towards Ruo Wei and said, "Then you should eat it. If you become so hungry that you lose your wits, life will truly become dull. I would rather be the one to lose my wits."

A whip struck the horse, causing it to let out a long cry of pain, and it leapt up in response, truly emerging from the pit amidst the astonishment of the crowd

He smiled and said, "Can this really serve as a means of self-defense?"

Sitting beside them, the two men not far away exchanged a smile, and one of the men looked at Ruowei with a playful expression, quietly listening to what followed

I want to think, wet nurse, let me think carefully!" She propped her chin on her hands, lost in thought as she gazed at the flickering candlelight on the kang table.

Return home! In the voice of the American woman, there was not a trace of displeasure, but rather a hint of joy, which left the steward quite puzzled, and he could only repeatedly agree.

The indoor furnishings are simple, yet very clean. Leaning against the east wall is a middle-aged woman, her hair disheveled and her face bearing signs of illness. At this moment, she looks at him with a face full of terror, her mouth slightly open, seemingly at a loss for words.

If Wei was not angry, he smiled and said: "Don't be so fierce, I have a way to get the carriage out, and you will have to thank me later!"

Madam! The steward stood with a bow, looking rather embarrassed. Today, a young girl managed to resolve the situation, which is truly frustrating.

Yunmen Mountain, though not high, possesses the grandeur of a thousand fathoms. During the summer and autumn seasons, clouds and mist swirl around, resembling rolling waves, with the temple at the mountain's peak appearing faintly, ethereal and elusive, akin to a fairyland. On the southwestern side of the main peak, there exists a natural stone crevice, unfathomable in depth, known as "Yunkong".

Fortunately! If Wei rests her chin on her hand, seemingly deep in thought: "At such a young age, she already understands the principle of robbing the rich to help the poor, stealing only from the wealthy. Very well, today I shall spare her this once"

"Alright, stop crying. Haven't you gone several days without eating? You should eat first!" Ruo Wei suddenly spoke up to offer her advice.

If Wei suddenly realized, she smiled faintly at them, then turned around and said to the shopkeeper: "Brother shopkeeper, how much do I owe you? Tomorrow I will have Ziyan bring it over. As for today’s matter, please do not tell my father and my grandfather, and do not charge it to their account"

Upon witnessing this situation, the two exchanged a glance, both realizing the gravity of the matter. Indeed, Jizong exhibited the demeanor of a long-established descendant, promptly clasping his hands and bowing in greeting, and took the initiative to say, "I was wrong, Grandfather." Seeing his sincere admission of fault, and without further elaboration, the elder Sun Yunpu nodded, stroked his beard, and said, "Since you acknowledge your mistake, you should confess your error and repent before our ancestors."

Indeed? Jizong couldn't help but recall the piece of rib he had just picked for her, which had been sitting in the bowl untouched. He initially thought she was just being shy, but now, hearing Ruowei's words, it was clear that it was a trap.

What is different here? If one squints their eyes slightly, it feels quite interesting

The horse neighed restlessly, and a steward-like servant said to the carriage: "Madam, the carriage has become stuck in a pit, please do not panic"

"What is the background of that little girl? Isn't Zou Ping known for its simple and conservative customs? How can men and women sit together without any reservations?" asked the pale-faced man, who looked rather eerie yet was quite handsome.

As Ruo Wei and Ji Zong walked together, they chatted and laughed along the way, not feeling tired at all. Before long, they reached the halfway point of the mountain, gazing at the summit in the distance. Ruo Wei looked up to the sky and sighed, "This is what is meant by 'looking at the mountain makes the horse tired'"

Haha! Ruowei burst into a hearty laugh again: "Well, my supplies, my mother always says that if I don't practice this piece well, or if I don't finish copying this anthology, I am not allowed to eat and so on. Therefore, I always keep a little stock, I can't really go hungry, can I? If one often goes hungry, one will become foolish. Unfortunately, my mother doesn't understand this principle, otherwise she wouldn't punish me like this, would she?"

The waiter was tidying up the table while scratching his head, pondering to himself what was going on today, as all sorts of unusual events seemed to have converged at once

Under the gaze of Su Su and Sun Jingzhi, their emotions were exceedingly complex, as their daughter's intelligence and mischievousness truly left them somewhat at a loss.

If Wei threw away the stick in his hand, dusted off the dirt on his hands, and said to the middle-aged woman in the carriage: "It rained a few days ago, and the roads in the mountains are not easy to traverse. This horse-drawn carriage may not be able to go far. If you really want to go up the mountain, it is best to walk. If you are not in a hurry, you can come back in a few days when the ground has dried, and then you can take the carriage up the mountain"

"Gentlemen, please come in! Would you prefer a private room or dining in the main hall?" The waiter immediately turned around to greet them again

"Yes, go ahead and eat!" Jizong said as he placed a piece of rib from the plate into the bowl of the little beggar

"What are you in such a hurry for?" Ruowei glanced at him indifferently, then met the face of that little beggar.

With a thud, he tossed a black cloth bundle onto the bed, and the sick woman was instantly taken aback

The young attendant approached warmly and greeted, "Young Master Sun, Young Miss, have you come out to play again today?" However, in an instant, he noticed the dirty little beggar and couldn't help but show a look of discomfort, saying, "Um, how did you two bring her in?"

A heavy rain fell just a few days ago, saturating the previously low-lying areas. Although the sun is now shining and the ground appears level, a vehicle passing through may still inadvertently sink into the soft spots.

In the ancestral hall, kneeling upright on the worship mat is the eldest grandson of the Sun family, the heir to the lineage. Beside him, propped up on her hands and sitting cross-legged on the mat, is Miss Sun, Ruo Wei, who appears to be dozing off.

"Dine in!" one of them said, pointing to a table by the window against the wall: "Just there!"

She is the little beggar who is begging on the street today

This is a reward from my master for you! His gaze is sharp as an eagle, and his voice is low and piercing: "Today, I saw your performance on the street, and my master, feeling that you possess some cleverness, wishes to secure a bright future for you! People strive to rise higher; if you have come to understand this, tomorrow morning at the East City Wangxiang Pavilion, join us on our journey."

As Ruo Wei turned to take a look, the person who clapped his hands was a man around thirty years old, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, a broad face and a heavy jaw. Beneath his chin was a dense black beard, and his dark complexion combined with his sharply defined features revealed his strong and resolute character. Such a person was proud and stern, leaving Ruo Wei momentarily stunned. Beside him stood another man with a pale complexion and eagle-like eyes, who was exceptionally handsome. At this moment, he gently coughed to signal a reminder.

"Of course not!" There seemed to be a hint of anger in his eyes, and although his tone softened slightly, it remained sharp: "Stop the nonsense. My master is a prominent figure in the capital. However, seeing that your girl has some cleverness and considering her young age and her plight on the streets, out of pity, I allowed her to enter the household as a maid. To become a courtesan or a concubine? Dream on! How many noble ladies wish to be my master's concubine but have no chance!"

The woman was taken aback by his abrupt retort, left speechless and unsure of how to respond. Meanwhile, the young girl in blue steeled herself, gritted her teeth, and said: "As long as it is not for the purpose of becoming a courtesan or a concubine, I will go!"

What did you say?" Ji Zong clearly did not hear well, staring blankly at her, somewhat lost in thought

If Wei shouted: "That means—I'm tired, I can't walk anymore!"

The little beggar nodded repeatedly, picked up the chopsticks, and did not, like most street beggars, light up at the sight of meat; instead, he quietly ate the bowl of noodles in front of him

Ji Zong looked into Shang Ruowei's eyes, and at this moment, he seemed to understand: "Sister, in the end, you still cannot bear to pity her in your heart?"

If Ruo Wei nodded slightly, at that moment, Ji Zong also ran over. He anxiously tugged at Ruo Wei's sleeve, but Ruo Wei ignored him and continued to pick up many stones to place under the wheels. Everyone looked surprised and stood aside to watch, while Ji Zong imitated Ruo Wei and helped gather stones to place underneath. Until Ruo Wei nodded and said it was good, she walked up to the driver and said, "When I shout 'start' later, you must pull the horse with all your strength, understood?"

Cough cough! The middle-aged woman coughed urgently, as if she were having some difficulty catching her breath

Sun Jingzhi and his wife Dong Susu, as well as the elder of the Sun family, Sun Yunpu, along with the servants and maids attending to Sun Jizong and Sun Ruowei

He paused slightly, thought carefully, and then said: "However, this month, there have been several instances where Wang, the manager of the silk shop, the second young master of Liu's soy sauce shop, and Scholar Zhao seem to have also reported losing their money bags"

"Welcome, gentlemen. Have you finished your meal?" The waiter nodded and bowed, observing their appearance and attire; it was clear that these two were extraordinary individuals, one with a delicate demeanor and the other with a robust presence. He decided to proceed with caution, ensuring not to offend them.

The young girl in the blue dress walked a few steps to the bedside, glanced at the wet nurse, then looked at the man in black. Taking a deep breath, she untied the rope binding the cloth bag. What emerged was surprisingly a dazzling array of silver coins.

So you are a girl? Upon seeing the earlobe piercings on her ears, I couldn't help but exclaim in surprise

Slow down! If he blinked, he would say: "My dear brother, do you still have any silver to settle the bill?"

At this moment, she resembled a delicate beauty, having washed away the grime and donned her daughter's attire. In her graceful and gentle demeanor, there was a hint of coldness; her face was as cold as ice, and her eyes were fixed intently on him. In the next moment, with a flick of her sleeve, a dagger was swiftly grasped in her hand

If Wei was sitting up there in a casual manner, then furrowing her brows, she said: "Who embroidered this cloth for you? Such beautiful flowers, it's a pity I can't embroider like that." She stared at her cousin with a dazed look: "If only I could embroider, I would make you thirty pieces, you could change them daily, and for a whole month, they would never be the same, I wouldn't want theirs at all."

The little beggar lay on the table, her shoulders trembling, unable to stop sobbing. Jizong stood up behind her and gently patted her shoulder to offer comfort

At this moment, the waiter also approached and said: "What’s the matter? Did you forget to bring money when you went out? Or have you spent it all on snacks? No need to worry, just put it all on Lord Sun's account!"

The little beggar's face was filled with joy: "This is enough for us to eat for two or three days!"

The woman on the bed had a look of terror on her face: "Sir, where are you from? What do you want to take our daughter for? Although she has engaged in some petty theft on the street, it was all for my sake; I am the one who has dragged her down. She is also a pure and innocent girl from a prominent family. No matter how poor we are, we cannot sell ourselves..."

"Miss, I see that this is really not a way to go on. We should head south to seek refuge at your uncle's house!" This was the voice of a somewhat aged middle-aged woman, tinged with a hint of hoarseness.

Having said that, he pulled Ji Zong and started walking up the mountain.

Of course! If Wei turns to the side to glance at Jizong: "Did you bring the silver?"

"No need, no need. By the way, the handkerchief you have draped over you, make sure to wash it often; it's almost gone bad!" Ruo Wei smiled and stood up, waved to the shopkeeper, and pulled Ji Zong out the door.

"Silver? My goodness! So much silver!" The sick woman was taken aback, momentarily gasping for breath, and began to cough again

"Waiter, the bill please!" Jizong shouted

"Quite interesting!" The silent, dark-faced man took out a silver ingot from his bosom and placed it on the table: "I will pay her bill!"

When Ruo Wei and Ji Zong, covered in dust, quietly returned to the Sun residence, they discovered that everyone in the Sun family was already waiting inside the back door

A shadow nimbly leaped into a small courtyard in Wuyi Alley, west of the city. Inside the courtyard, the candlelight in the main room flickered, suggesting that the owner had not yet settled in. He quietly approached the base of the window, holding his breath and straining to listen.

If she lightly hummed and said: "Silly brother, you read so much of Sun Tzu's Art of War and the Thirty-Six Stratagems, how come you don't know how to apply them in real life?"

At this moment, Sun Jingzhi did not dare to look at his father's expression, and could only speak in a low voice: "Come back here, what do you think you are doing? Your grandfather hasn't punished you yet, how dare you take matters into your own hands?"

Before long, a faint sound of a barely perceptible sigh emerged from within